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Time for Asean
To Integrate Its Economies

By

Rodolfo C. Severino

Updated Sept. 1, 2003 12:01 a.m. ET

On Sept. 2, the economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Phnom Penh. A little over a month later, on Oct. 7, Asean's leaders will convene in Bali for their annual summit. These events are always important; but they are particularly critical this year. This time the Asean nations will have to decide either to move forward seriously in integrating the regional economy, or continue to mark time and thus risk falling behind in the competition for the markets and foreign investments that are...